Things to Do in Dehradun
- Aj
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
Flavours That Dance on Your Tongue
Food Culture of Dehradun
The delicious food in Dehradun is very much renowned for its special taste. In a nod to its Garhwali heritage, the cuisine here is defined by simplicity and the use of indigenous produce. The famous food in this region includes Kandalee Ka Saag, Kulath Phanu, Bal Mithai, Kafuli, Gulgula, Singodi, Arsa, and Sani Hui Muli. These dishes belong to the local culture and are enjoyed by all.
Kandalee Ka Saag: A traditional Garhwali dish made with green leafy vegetables like nettle leaves, cooked with spices and rice or bread.
Kulath Phanu: A thick, savoury curry made from horse gram, slow-cooked and blended with spices, popular for its earthy flavours.
Bal Mithai: A signature Dehradun sweet made of khoya, coated in sugar balls with a caramelised, fudge-like texture.
Kafuli: A wholesome dish of spinach and fenugreek leaves cooked in yoghurt and spices, perfect for cold weather.
Gulgula: Sweet fritters made with wheat flour and jaggery, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
Singodi: A festive sweet made of khoya and coconut, wrapped in a fragrant leaf for a unique presentation.
Arsa: A deep-fried sweet dish made from rice flour and jaggery, offering a chewy, caramelised flavour.
Sani Hui Mooli: A refreshing salad-like preparation of grated radish mixed with yoghurt, mustard seeds, and spices.
As you make your way down the busy roads, numerous tempting street food offerings await around every corner, from various savoury samosas and Kachodis to Unsavory Aloo Tikki and Golgappas. Momos, the cherished Tibetan dumplings, have also staked their claim in Dehradun’s gourmet space, providing a mouthwatering mix of tastes. Treating your sweet taste buds with some specialities like Bal Mithai, Singodi, and Rusk is mandatory.
The Momo Trail
In Dehradun, momos aren't just food—they're emotion wrapped in thin dough. At Nath's, watch the steam rise from freshly cooked dumplings as college students debate whether this batch is spicier than yesterday's. The cheese momos at Singh Soup Bar have ended arguments and started friendships. And First Gear Cafe is an atmospheric hillside cafe with valley views & multi-cuisine food.
Street Food Stories
Every evening, Chat Galli transforms into a festival of flavours. Watch the gol gappa seller's eyes twinkle as he adds "extra spicy" for his regular customers. See how the chole kulche wallah near Suvidha remembers everyone's preferred spice level, calling out "beta, thoda kam teekha?" (child, less spicy?) before they even ask.
Cafe Chronicles
At Ama Cafe, students turn coffee cups into study companions, and artists find inspiration in every corner. Eddie's Patisserie becomes a celebration hub where birthday songs ring out hourly. And as the sun sets at Sunset Bistro, local musicians transform ordinary evenings into magical nights.
Shopping Adventures
Paltan Bazaar: The Heart's Marketplace
Paltan Bazaar is one of the most well-known marketplaces in Dehradun, and it is always filled with activities all day long. It is positioned near Clock Tower, which houses traditional crafts shops. While walking around these narrow alleys, you come across stores stocked with handcrafted jewellery pieces, such as earrings or necklaces made from precious metals like gold or silver, along with intricate wood carvings and multi-coloured textiles. The woollen items like shawls and sweaters are very popular.
A range of local souvenirscharacterise this vibrant atmosphere, including brassware utensils, decoration pieces, and street food scents.
Tibetan Market: A Touch of Tibet
The handicraft landscape in Dehradun gets an extra edge through the Tibetan Market located near Parade Grounds. This market belongs to Tibetans who sell traditional Tibetan handicrafts. For instance, the market has a wide selection of Thangka paintings that are finely designed by artisans. Also sold here are handmade woollen garments and carpets that depict the artistry of Tibetans.
It’s an excellent place to buy silver jewellery and semi-precious stones apart from handicrafts. The sellers are friendly enough to even tell you why they made these items, hence making it more appealing and interesting for one to shop at this market.
Rajpur Road: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
In Rajpur Road, Dehradun's primary streetscape, traditional handicrafts blend smoothly with contemporary retail offerings. Several boutiques and shops in this area display the work done by local craftsmen. Therefore, pottery ware, leather goods, and hand-painted household furnishings, among others, can be found there.
There are a variety of artisanal candles available here, including some scented ones too. These candles come in various sizes, shapes, and fragrances, thereby making them ideal for gifting or adding aroma to your home. There are also several cafes/eateries on both sides where you can relax and experience its local flavours.
Indulge in the Art of Aipan
Aipan is a traditional folk art from Uttarakhand that involves intricate patterns and designs drawn using rice paste. This form of art is part of the cultural identity during festive seasons and special events in this state. In Dehradun, many markets, including artisans' workshops, offer insights into this unique craft.
You can watch artisans busy drawing complex designs on cloth, paper and even walls if you visit an Aipan workshop. There are many shops selling Aipan-inspired products such as tablecloths, wall hangings and greeting cards, allowing you to have a little bit of this beautiful art.
The charisma of local weaves
Weaving is also a major handicraft in Dehradun, where Indigenous weavers produce marvellous textiles that reflect the area's cultural heritage. The markets here are full of hand-woven products such as shawls, scarves and saris made from natural fibers like cotton and wool. These woven goods often contain traditional patterns and motifs that demonstrate the skill and creativity of the weavers.
By visiting a weaving cooperative or an artisan's home, one gets a close look at how weaving is done. It's an opportunity to appreciate the talent involved in creating these wonderful fabrics and also an occasion for admiration of the skills required by every item.
Sweet Endings and New Beginnings
Local bakeries aren't just shops—they're time machines. At Ellora's, grandparents buy the same butter toffees they once craved as children. Gaylord's milk rusks disappear into suitcases, destined to become gifts that carry the taste of Dehradun across the country.
Through the Seasons
The valley is filled with flowering flowers and rhododendrons in the spring. People adore ice cream and delicious lime sodas on summer afternoons. While winter envelops the city in a comforting layer of fog and people seek solace in countless cups of chai, monsoon turns every street into a sparkling pathway.